We’ve been burning wood and logs for eons. Embracing fire making in its most rudimentary form. However what was once a source of survival has evolved. Log fires heat our homes, keep our firepit areas cosy and generally add a sense of comfort to the everyday. While the basics of fire and flame haven’t changed. The world of wood continues to transform and shift. There’s a wide range of logs to try – from seasoned and kiln dried, to compressed heat logs and briquettes. If it all seems a little overwhelming; don’t worry. We’ll give you a quick overview of what you need to know when it comes to logs.
What are Conventional Logs?
We apologise if this feels like a big dose of the obvious, but we’re thorough in what we do. Plus it’s always good to cover all bases. Traditional logs are simply logs that have been chopped from trees. At this stage there is no ‘production’ or ‘manufacturing’ involved. Denser woods burn hotter and longer, so conventional logs are usually derived from hardwood species such as Ash, Birch and Beech to name a few. But there is more nuance to the story. We start seeing variation in regular logs when it comes to how they are dried. The drying process determines the burn characteristics of the log.
Seasoned Versus Kiln Dried Logs
Just to give a quick combustion recap here; the drier the wood, the better the burn. This is why, regular logs are dried in some kind of way before use. You see all wood has a certain amount of internal moisture and volatile compounds. All these things reduce heat efficiency, leading to a weaker burn. By drying the wood, we greatly reduce the internal moisture levels and amount of impurities. So what are these drying techniques?
Seasoned Logs
Seasoning involves drying logs ‘naturally’. In other word, logs are left to dry in the open air for an extended period of time. Thorough seasoning produces logs with a 30-40% internal moisture level.
Kiln Dried Logs
Kiln drying is a different animal. We dry logs in a specialised kiln. Think of a kiln as an industrial-sized oven of sorts. Basically the logs are dried at a series of high temperatures in a short period of time. Kiln drying produces logs with a sub 25% internal moisture level. This is considerably drier than seasoning, meaning kiln dried logs are more heat efficient than seasoned logs.
What are Heat Logs?
The production of heat logs involves a lot more human intervention. To put it differently, heat logs are manufactured logs typically about 6-8 inches long. Ow are they made? Well we take a mixture of finely chopped raw materials (sawdust, straw or paper), place it in a mould and compress the mixture at very high pressures. The compression process removes even more internal moisture than kiln drying; we’re talking sub 8%. So heat logs are the driest logs out there. They also burn with minimal, if any, smoke and no sparking or spitting.
Logs Versus Heat Logs
So which logs are best for you? It’s not our place to say, as everyone’s situation is different. Here’s a handy table to help you choose.
| Type of Log | Density (kg/m³) | Price per kWh | Internal Moisure | Burn Time |
| Seasoned Hardwood | 750 | 10.5p per kWh | 30-40% | 2-2.5 Hours |
| Kiln Dried Hardwood | 700 | 11p per kWh | <25% | 2-2.5 Hours |
| Heat Logs | 900-1100 | 6-6.5p per kWh | <8% | N/A |
Regular Logs Versus Heat Logs – What Does The Data Tell Us?
Looking at the table above, we can see that seasoned and kiln dried logs have a lower density and higher internal moisture level when compared to heat logs. This means that they have a higher cost per kWh as they aren’t quite as efficient with a shorter burn time.
As heat logs are made in uniform moulds, every log has a uniform shape, composition and density. With traditional logs, we see some natural variation as each log is cut from a larger piece of wood. So we see slight changes in size, moisture levels and density. Uniformity brings greater burn control. Variance adds a small factor of unpredictability. Both options still offer heat in spades.
Both standard logs and heat logs are great value for money. Yes seasoned and kiln dried logs are more economical in terms of price, but this doesn’t quite tell the full story. Heat logs have a greater calorific value than logs, so they produce more heat when completely burnt. So you’ll end up burning fewer heat logs – meaning you won’t need to replenish your stocks as fast. This delivers long-term cost efficiency.
A Final Word On Logs & Heat Logs
Both kiln dried logs and heat logs are fantastic heating options for your home. This comparison provides more nuanced information, so you can make the right decision for you. The best part? Whatever kind of log you choose, you can order all your wood fuel direct from bigk.co.uk. We have Big K Kiln Dried Logs, Compressed Heat Logs, Instant Light Logs, Kindling and natural firelighters. So go online and find the right logs to make your home your warm and happy place.
